Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-05-14-Speech-3-023"
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"en.20030514.1.3-023"2
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"Mr President, in my contribution, I will rise above the coarse insults directed at Prime Minster Aznar by a Member of this House. As regards the current situation in Iraq, I think we need to distinguish between what can and cannot wait. Re-establishing food supplies for people who have suffered under a long and cruel dictatorship and 12 years of embargo, Mr President, certainly cannot wait.
Concerning the provision of humanitarian aid, the European Commission and many Member States deserve to be thanked for their efforts. Notwithstanding the efforts of the international community in general, and the European Union in particular, I feel it is important to put things into perspective. I will therefore take the liberty of quoting some figures regarding this aid.
The United States is the principal donor of humanitarian aid to Iraq. Its contribution totals EUR 964 million. Great Britain is in second place with EUR 336 million and Japan is in third place with EUR 192 million. The figure for ECHO is EUR 100 million. Then there are the figures for other countries. Spain has donated EUR 60 million for humanitarian purposes, Australia, EUR 55 million, Canada and Germany EUR 50 million. I am sorry that Mr Wurtz is not present in the House as his country is contributing EUR 10 million in humanitarian aid, according to the figures of 13 May 2003.
Mr President, there is clearly a need to re-establish supplies of drinking water and electricity in Iraq, along with health services. It is also clear that given the situation on the ground, the second priority has to be the formation of an interim Iraqi authority. Such an authority must be formed in a democratic manner and Iraqis must play a key role in the process. In my opinion, the authority also needs to be federal in nature. There is one great issue currently hanging in the balance. This is, or should be, the establishment of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state, based on the principles of inclusion, representation and responsibility. This issue has come to the fore because the media has played up the religious reawakening in Iran.
The latest debates at the United Nations show that past disagreements have been overcome and that there is now space for everyone to adopt constructive attitudes. Mr President, I believe this is the line the European Union should take. We have to help promote stability in the region. We must act and we must use our ability to engage in dialogues with the countries of the region to the full. Lebanon now has an Association Agreement with the European Union. Syria is part of the Euro-Mediterranean Association. We are currently engaged in a critical dialogue with Iran and we should also pursue the objectives of the so-called road-map.
The United States, Mr President, has proposed an ambitious free trade agreement with the countries of the region. The European Union must use its ability to engage in dialogue to the full. We must work to ensure that the region is stable, peaceful, prosperous and democratic. Minister, the next informal meeting due to be held in Crete on 26 and 27 May should serve as a unique opportunity to develop the role the European Union must play in this difficult situation."@en1
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